When my staff and I heard that the city was fining my constituent, Arthur “Tip” Sempliner, up to $2,000 for “failing to water his beehive,” our first reaction was to laugh. Only in New York City can a government think up such a creative way to fine someone an exorbitant amount of money.
My second reaction was to act. I knew that if the public found out about the citation the city Department of Health gave Sempliner, people would be as stunned as Sempliner and I were. This embarrassment might cause the city to think twice about levying such a fine against Sempliner.
While I do not know Sempliner personally, my staff has found that he is an easy-going, friendly man interested primarily in just going about his business. He would not harm a fly — or bee, for that matter. Sempliner is the last kind of person our city needs to be hassling.
I am glad I was able to get this citation dismissed, and I want to thank the Bayside Times for your help. By covering this issue and giving it more attention, you helped make sure that Sempliner did not have to pay this silly and exorbitant fine.
Dan Halloran
City Councilman
(R-Whitestone)
